Jim Taylor's Columns - 'Soft Edges' and 'Sharp Edges'

My dog is going deaf. At thirteen and half, she’s earned it -- that’s a ripe old age for a Chesapeake Bay Retriever.

First we noticed that she no longer came running to greet us when the garage door opened.

Then she didn’t hear the doorbell ring.

And she didn’t come when I whistled.

When a Chessie doesn’t respond to the word “Food!” we knew something was seriously wrong with her hearing.

Her deafness has affected our relationship. She now ignores commands that she used to obey, if reluctantly. Then she looks puzzled about why we’re upset with her. She apparently never developed the skill of lip reading.

Once, when we had conversations on our walks, she didn’t know what I was saying. Now, she doesn’t even know I’m saying anything.